Metal separation from dragstream material of refining process

Abstract

A process for the separation of a low metals content organic material from an easily calcinable solid material, effected by treating a low-melting solid material, resulting from the refining of a hydrocarbon crude oil, with naphtha at an elevated temperature and pressure whereby the resulting solid material, after separation of the liquid organic material, is in condition to be readily calcinable.

We claim as our invention: 
     
       1. A process which comprises agitating a dragstream resulting from the refining of a crude feed stock containing vanadium and nickel with naphtha at a temperature of from about 100° to about 250° C., a pressure of from about 1 to about 50 atmospheres, and a time period of from about 0.5 to about 10 hours, the solids content of the dragstream being present in a range of from about 5% to about 20% by weight of said naphtha, separating liquid from solid, calcining the latter at a temperature of from about 300° to about 900° C. for a time period of at least about 1 hour, and recovering the calcined solid material containing vanadium and nickel. 
     
     
       2. The process as set forth in claim 1 in which said feed stock and said calcined solid material additionally contain iron. 
     
     
       3. The process as set forth in claim 1 in which said agitation of said dragstream with naphtha is effected in the presence of water. 
     
     
       4. The process as set forth in claim 3 in which said water is present in a range of from about 10% to about 40% by weight of said naphtha. 
     
     
       5. The process as set forth in claim 1 in which said feed stock is tower bottom products. 
     
     
       6. The process as set forth in claim 1 in which said feed stock is crude oil residuum. 
     
     
       7. The process as set forth in claim 1 in which said feed stock is topped crude oil. 
     
     
       8. The process as set forth in claim 1 in which said refining of said feed stock is a hydrorefining process.